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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260203T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260203T200000
DTSTAMP:20260607T165245
CREATED:20260105T195019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T181518Z
UID:46638-1770141600-1770148800@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Follow Request: Speed Friending at the Library
DESCRIPTION:We know it is tough to make friends in Vancouver so we’re here to help. Bring your favourite book\, e-book\, graphic novel\, DVD\, podcast\, blog or zine to discuss at this fun\, casual\, in-person event at Central Library. \nYou’ll have six minutes with each person to chat about the item you brought and see if there is a friendship connection. At the very least you’ll have a bunch of interesting conversations with people who share similar interests. \nThis event is open to all with limited space available and takes place in the Alice MacKay room in the Lower Level of the Central Library. \nRegistration is required and this event will be capped at 100 people\, so sign up early!
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/follow-request-speed-friending-at-the-library/
LOCATION:Vancouver Public Library\, Central Branch\, 350 West Georgia St.\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6B 6B1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Festival
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ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260314T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260314T160000
DTSTAMP:20260607T165245
CREATED:20260219T004611Z
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UID:48881-1773496800-1773504000@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Nowruz Celebration: The Seven Trials of Esfandiyar
DESCRIPTION:Hear the story of the Seven Trials of the hero Esfandiyar from the famous The Persian Book of Kings! In true heroic fashion\, Esfandiyar fights beasts\, a dragon\, and a mythical bird to get to the fortress where his sisters are held captive. But not all tasks require raw strength and battle skills – heroism is about more than that. \nLed by Dr. Alexandra Hoffmann\, this event guides you through the story\, featuring an engaging lecture\, recitations in Persian and English\, and an opportunity for discussion. Join us for an afternoon immersed in Persian culture and learn how one might go about killing a dragon. \n— \nThis event is organized by Ashkan Doremami\, BA (UBC)\, Dr. Alexandra Hoffmann\, Assistant Professor of Classical Persian Literature and Culture (UBC)\, and Dr. Hessam Dehghani\, Assistant Professor of Teaching in Persian Language and Culture (UBC). \nIn partnership with the Persian Language and Culture Program at UBC and PanBeh Bookstore (Vancouver’s Iranian/Persian Bookstore).
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/nowruz-celebration-the-seven-trials-of-esfandiyar/
LOCATION:VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY – CENTRAL LIBRARY
CATEGORIES:Festival
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ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260317T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260317T203000
DTSTAMP:20260607T165245
CREATED:20260112T181458Z
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UID:46648-1773770400-1773779400@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:Giant Silent Reading Party
DESCRIPTION:Are you feeling a little lonely and finding it hard to connect with community in Vancouver? The Vancouver Public Library is hosting a giant silent reading party to get ready for Spring. Our “silent reading party” at the library is a social space where patrons can sit together and read in silence. Do you have book that you just haven’t had the time or space to finish? Well now you can finally bring that book out of your giant TBR pile to the table! \nEnjoy the company of other book lovers with a 30 minute conversational social afterwards to discuss what you are reading. \n*Light refreshments will be provided.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/giant-silent-reading-party-2/
LOCATION:Vancouver Public Library\, Central Branch\, 350 West Georgia St.\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6B 6B1\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Festival
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ORGANIZER;CN="Vancouver Public Library":MAILTO:candie.tanaka@vpl.ca
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260627T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260628T200000
DTSTAMP:20260607T165245
CREATED:20260525T220811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T220811Z
UID:54600-1782565200-1782676800@www.readlocalbc.ca
SUMMARY:LiterASIAN 2026: Re-Generation
DESCRIPTION:The LiterASIAN Festival returns for its 14th annual edition with “Re-Generation\,” a timely exploration of how Asian Canadian writers are reshaping literary culture today. \nRunning from June 27-28 across Vancouver\, the festival brings together leading and emerging voices for a national celebration of storytelling\, community\, and creative exchange. \nWidely recognized as Canada’s premier festival dedicated to Asian Canadian literature\, LiterASIAN 2026 spotlights a new generation of writers who are reimagining inherited narratives and pushing the boundaries of form\, voice\, and identity. \nThis year’s lineup features Jinwoo Park (Oxford Soju Club)\, Evelyn Lau (Parade of Storms)\, Yasuko Thanh (To the Bridge)\, Larry Grant and Scott Steedman (Reconciling)\, Kagan Goh (Surviving Samsara)\, Steffi Tad-y (Notes from the Ward)\, Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho (Astronaut Children of Dunbar Street)\, and Keiko Honda (Hidden Flowers). \nAdditional speakers include Jessica Gin-Jade Chan (former Ricepaper Editor-in-Chief)\, Bonnie Quan Symons (poet and chapbook author)\, and Taslim Jaffer (editor\, writer\, and professor at the University of King’s College MFA program). \nFestival programming includes feature readings\, panel discussions\, and workshops. Events will take place at leading cultural and literary venues across Vancouver\, including the Chinatown Storytelling Centre\, the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum\, and Centre A: Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. \n“Fifty years after Inalienable Rice\, the first anthology of Asian Canadian writing\, we are witnessing a renewal\,” said Festival Director Allan Cho. “LiterASIAN 2026 brings together writers who are not only reflecting on cultural inheritance\, but actively transforming it.” \nHighlights include: \n● Literary Walking Tour — A guided exploration of Vancouver’s Chinatown through history and literature with filmmaker and photographer Larry Chin \n● Emerging Writers Showcase — Featuring new voices from the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers’ Award \n● Writing Workshop — Exploring expressive writing as a practice for reflection and healing \n● Chapbook-Making Class — A hands-on introduction to editing\, sequencing\, and design for a cohesive\, self-published work \n● ACWW Community Builders Award — Honouring leadership in advancing racial equity in Asian Canadian communities \n● Live Drafting Session — An intimate\, behind-the-scenes look at writers developing new work in real time \nLiterASIAN 2026: Re-Generation is presented by the Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop (ACWW)\, with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts\, ACCESS Copyright Foundation\, the Department of Canadian Heritage\, the City of Vancouver\, and community partners. \nFor tickets and full program details\, please visit www.literasian.com.
URL:https://www.readlocalbc.ca/event/literasian-2026-re-generation/
LOCATION:Chinese Cultural Centre Museum\, 555 Columbia Street\, Vancouver\, BC\, V6A 3X3\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Author Discussion,Festival,Panel,Workshop
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ORGANIZER;CN="Asian Canadian Writers Workshop":MAILTO:allancho@asiancanadianwriters.ca
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